Children, Christmas, toys.

What can separate them in this season of cheer and  light?

Try toxins.

A toxic-free celebration of the Yuletide season is a matter of public safety, especially for children vulnerable to exposure to heavy metals or noxious chemicals in toys peddled in most streets, bargain centers, and tiangges.

It’s easy as garbage in, garbage out: Sloppy if not outright criminal manufacturing practices and processes result in hazardous products meant for children.      

It is, therefore, reassuring that the Food and Drug Administration  announced it would undertake an intensive high-tech Christmas campaign to boost toy safety.

FDA director Suzette Lazo said they will inspect establishments throughout Metro Manila with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry, local government units, and law-enforcement agencies for the duration of the Christmas season.

The FDA warned sellers and vendors of unregistered and contaminated toy products that under Republic Act 9711, erring parties may be slapped administrative penalties of up to P500,000 and imprisonment of not more than 10 years.

But if the offender is a manufacturer, importer, or distributor of unregistered toy products, the maximum fine is P5 million and imprisonment of not more than 10 years.

Their products will also be subject to seizure and their establishment subject to closure.

The FDA had issued licenses to operate to 135 manufacturers, importers, and distributors of toy products.

Lazo called on the establishments to take due diligence in determining the products they manufacture and carry are toxic-free.

Nemia Getes, chief of the FDA Regulation Division I, said their inspectors will make the rounds of establishments from sidewalk bangketas to stores in malls that sell toys and other consumer goods starting this week.

Getes said inspectors will also conduct on-site testing that will significantly impact on furthering the cause of consumer safety. The inspections will include tests from a portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer.

Based on test results that will immediately be made available, she said appropriate regulatory sanctions will be issued on products found to be non-compliant to safety standards.

In addition to the presence of toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and arsenic, Getes said the labels of toy products will also be inspected for appropriate warnings that include choking hazards.